Kasbekar says, ``These senior citizens can communicate easily with their near and dear ones abroad. This apart, there are so many of them with the required zeal and zest to learn new concepts in life and become computer-literate.''

At the cafe, Panna Singh from Kalyani Nagar, who is interested in art, was logged on to the exclusive site on paintings. Next to her sat one Dr. Deshpande, browsing through texts on ayurveda. And there were many others enjoying the opportunity to open their own e-mail accounts.

A few days prior to the workshop, senior citizens were given an impromptu presentation at the Limca Jogging Park by Amol Purandare, one of the organisers.

Welcome to India
It was a corporate theme party for the Vasantdada Sugar Institute, which had invited delegates from all over the world for a convention here. The 50 delegates were given a taste of traditional Indian hospitality at the Pride Hotel on February 20 as they were greeted with flowers, shehnai-vadan and red tilak.

The highlight of the event was a potter who displayed his skills as the charmed foreigners looked on. A Rajasthani dance performance by sisters Heena and Neha Chandan and Odissi nritya by Advaita Mane had the audience enthralled. The chief guest was Shivajirao Patil, with the show organised by Ashish Bhuyan and his event-management agency, Extremes. A dash of panache was added to the evening by giving the bar a cheery Goan look, complete with a thatched roof and Goan music.

Administrative acts
Director of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Mohan Agashe may be battling with crisis at work but that has not stopped him from indulging in his favourite passion - acting. While the Hindi film Hu Tu Tu, in which Agashe plays an unscrupulous politician, is his latest silver screen role, he is eagerly awaiting the release of an as yet untitled English film, shot in Canada.

The film, scheduled for release in a couple of months, revolves around an Indian family residing in Montreal. Agashe was in Canada for three weeks in the last quarter of 1998 for the shooting. A perfect antidote to relieve stress and come back fresh to deal with the chronic crisis? The psychiatrist-turned-administrator sure knows best!

Twin dimensions
One specialises in realism, the other in movement. One prefers oils and the other is prone to experimenting, even with chalk and charcoal. And together they have managed to put up a show that has won them accolades from all quarters. They are Asawari Wadekar and Sanika Dhanorkar, who had the first major joint showing of their paintings in Pune at Inn Galleria in Holiday Inn from February 20 to 22.

Inaugurated by Lila Poonawalla, chairperson, Tetra Pak, the three-day exhibition elicited an encouraging response from art-lovers, with many of the works picked up by Poonawalla herself. Asawari's use of bold brush strokes, in a bid to add movement and flow to the painting, showcased her talent and creativity. Equal appreciation was garnered by Sanika for her prowess in figure-drawing and attention for details. Here's to the young artists destined to go places.

Carry on Gary
He came, saw, sang some good straightforward rock `n' roll and had fun. The man obviously enjoys what he does for a living. This was Gary Lawyer, live at Bacardi Batstage at the Jazz Garden on February 20. Lawyer went to town with good ole' rock - Summer of '69, Achy Breaky Heart, Day Tripper and a tribute to Jim Morrison, a great favourite with Lawyer. So Roadhouse Blues and Break On Through set the Night On Fire (which he also performed on popular demand). With the ambience at Jazz Garden just right for such ``in the basement rock shows,'' the informal gathering put on their blue suede shoes for an excellent night out.

Theme for a dream
Come summers and it's Goa on everyone's mind. And if the land of sun and beaches is as close as one can get to heaven, so is its delectable cuisine. And those wanting to sample this for themselves need to make their way to the Goan Food Festival on right now at Bullocks. But it's not just vindaloo, king prawns, fresh fish and stuffed papad that is guaranteed to transport you to God's chosen destination. The entire place has been transformed by organisers Stance and Sphinx, complete with palm trees, fishing nets and Goan music to match the mood with the food. Check it out!